"This is absolutely strategic on their part to allow us to bridge, what we hope, will be an ongoing project and not one that is year to year. This is often how new good things start. They begin year to year and then people see the value, and they become and institutionalized feature," said Adam Flint from Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The Binghamton Energy Leadership program works on providing homeowners paths toward energy efficiency.

"The city doesn't see climate change as just a threat but also an opportunity to create jobs, develop a safer and more reliable energy supply, lower our housing costs, save tax dollars, enhance our environment for generations to come," said Aubrey Clark from the Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation.

The program also helps create new jobs for local businesses.

Foam-It Insulation has added seven jobs since participating in the program.

The owner says his company is looking for four more energy auditors to keep up with the demand.

Some of the money will go toward keeping the staff at Cornell Cooperative Extension on the program, and nearly $10,000 will be spent on the city's energy climate action plan.